Abstract
This paper reports on the prevalence of mental health problems in homeless parents & children who have experienced domestic & neighborhood violence & their access to social support groups. Three groups of families who had become homeless were compared: those experiencing domestic violence (48 with 75 children), victims of neighborhood violence (14 with 29 children), & those who became homeless for other reasons (31 with 54 children). Mothers completed a service use semistructured interview, the Strengths & Difficulties Questionnaire, the General Health Questionnaire, the Family Support Scales, & the SF-36 Health Status Questionnaire. Levels of psychiatric morbidity were high in the group experiencing domestic violence (35.7% in children & 21.9% in mothers) & higher still in those who were victims of neighborhood violence (52.2% in children & 50% in mothers). Levels of social support were found to be an important factor, particularly in relation to professional support & support from other family members, as they predicted both child & maternal psychopathology. Mental health interventions for victims of domestic & neighborhood violence should be integrated with community programs of social reintegration. Mental health professionals should work in close collaboration with housing departments, social services, education, & the police. 2 Tables, 56 References. Adapted from the source document.